Some are asking whether electric cars have a future in motoring. Undoubtedly, electrics are becoming a bigger part of the industry and there are many indications that they will gradually displace oil-powered vehicles. What does the future hold for electric cars? Read the article below to find out.
The future of electric cars - does it make sense to invest in such technology?
The origins of motoring, which may not be obvious, involved a search for solutions based on electricity. Sales of electric vehicles in 19th century Europe and America led to a situation where, by the end of the century, there were more cars on American streets powered by electricity than fuel. In the 20th century, internal combustion cars dominated the industry due to their ease of use, construction, price and increasing customer demand. In addition, they could be used for longer distances with less frequent refuelling. The return to electrics is due to increasing concern for the environment, air quality, and this is directly affected by the exhaust gases expelled by car engines. Electric cars are quiet when driving and do not produce exhaust fumes, which is good for human health. In the 21st century, electrics have become much more efficient, as the energy generated by the batteries can be used to move them almost 100%. Because of this, the car requires less frequent repairs and will be cheaper to run. The continuous development of the technology would not have been possible if it were not for the fact that the car companies recognised the potential of electrics. What we are seeing now is probably only the beginning of automotive evolution. 
What opportunities and threats await electric cars in the future?
Like any innovation implemented, electromobility brings many opportunities, but also risks. What are the predictions for the future of electric cars? The transformation of the automotive infrastructure has begun and can no longer be stopped. It will bring with it many changes, certainly visible in the improvement of air quality. A report by the Foundation for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles points out that despite charging cars with electricity from coal, the electric car is responsible for emitting less pollution than the most modern combustion cars. In addition, the level of CO2 produced by charging the car will decrease with the gradual transition to alternative energy sources other than coal. It is assumed that electromobility will influence the acceleration of energy policy changes.
A real threat, mentioned in the report, is the hitting the street of internal combustion cars imported from abroad that do not meet any emission standards. This is due to differences in the conduct of environmental evolution in different countries. Emission standards change, so it is necessary to replace the car with one that meets them and the easiest way to do this is to sell it to countries with lower economic development, where the vehicle in question will be much more expensive than the one imported. This may be exacerbated by the displacement of internal combustion cars in the West in favour of electrics. Another problem could be the charging infrastructure for electric cars. Without a guarantee that the vehicle can be charged and moved, drivers will be reluctant to switch cars. Despite this, there are more and more electrics registered in Poland every year, both for private use and for buses, for example. Unfortunately, there are already not enough chargers and power supply equipment and more will be needed. 
Will electric cars displace combustion cars from the roads in the future?
The ever-tightening emissions regulations are certainly making it more difficult for corporations to produce combustion cars, because without complying with the standards, no one will want to buy new cars. In addition, the production of electric cars is still growing, so the whole process is slowly getting cheaper. This will have an impact on the number of cars produced. By 2040, electrics are expected to account for 58% of the new vehicle market.
Another interesting phenomenon is the slow change in thinking about car ownership. Carsharing is becoming increasingly popular in cities. Many people are giving up owning a private car because of the maintenance costs, which are inconsistent with how much it is used. Drivers prefer to use public transport and, in situations where a car is essential, opt to rent it from a carsharing service. The cars envisaged for service and public transport use are also electric.
Another reason why electric cars will dominate the future is the laws and regulations constantly changing in their favour. As part of the 'Fit for 55' package implemented by the EU under the so-called Green Deal, CO2 emissions are to be reduced by as much as 55% by 2030, which is linked to a ban on the sale of combustion cars. In 2035, only electric cars will be available on the market.
Will electric car prices be lower in the future?
All indications are that they will. According to The Guardian, in 2027 the price of electrics will pass a drop of up to 30%. When averaged over current electric car prices, this will be a reduction of up to 46k. In 2026, the prices of electric sedans and SUVs will be comparable to the price for their combustion counterparts. Analysts at Bloomberg New Energy Finance predict that as the cost of battery production and investment in production lines falls, the price of individual cars will also fall and be more affordable, even without subsidies.
The future of electric cars seems a foregone conclusion and a certainty. Continuous developments in infrastructure and technology are ensuring that electrics have a permanent place in the automotive industry and quite likely to take it over completely.
